He also discovered the true joy of married life. Thea was all he could want in a mate. She was open and inventive in bed and efficient and calm-headed during their daily life. Nothing soothed the challenges he faced more than lying beside his wife at night talking over the day’s cares. She made him laugh at the absurdities of people and the frustrations of both business and government.
The days turned to weeks, with Neal discovering a renewed sense of purpose and a serenity about life he’d not known before.
Harry recovered from that terrible night and seemed determined to keep his vices in check. However, both he and Margaret kept their distance from Thea. Margaret pouted, wearing her disapproval on her sleeve.
Because Neal was not going to let anyone belittle this woman who had become so important in his life, he kept his distance from them.
Thea was exactly what the lady of the houseshould have been. She didn’t take offense at Margaret and Harry’s silence and rudeness, but she didn’t hesitate to start placing her mark on the house and Neal’s life.
The servants admired her. That pleased Neal. They’d been afraid of his mother. Thea managed to walk a careful line between not usurping Margaret’s practices and authority and making changes to those issues that mattered to her.
As for the goodwill of society and the Montvales and the Pomfreys and their ilk, Neal could not care less about their opinions. With Thea and her sons, he had everything he’d ever wanted. Of course, Lady Palmer was a frequent and welcome guest. She helped soothe the way for Thea’s reintroduction to society in her new role as his countess. The weeks flew by in a blaze of joy and contentment.
Yes, the Carpsleys attempted to keep Jonathan out of Westminster. A letter was sent to the house from the school expressing regret that they would not be able to interview Master Jonathan Martin.
Neal responded by contacting a few of his close friends, including the Prince Regent, and in short order, Jonathan was accepted. On the day they received the notice, Neal took the boy on a walk, just the two of them. He wanted to be certain Jonathanunderstood school life. Christopher was most annoyed to be left behind.
“It won’t be easy at the school,” he warned Jonathan after they had walked a good distance. “Schoolboys are harsh on each other. They play cruel pranks.”
“What sort of pranks, sir?” Jonathan asked.
“They will push and shove you without cause. They may even hit you or play very mean jests that won’t be funny to you. Don’t complain and don’t tattle. They are doing those things to see what sort of character you have.”
“I believe their character is very rude if they behave that way.”
Neal had to smile. At Jonathan’s age, those had been his thoughts exactly. “Sometimes the older boys will do something the tutors or headmaster don’t like and blame the younger boys.”
“That is not fair.”
“No, it isn’t, but it is often the case in life. You must be brave and learn when to speak up and when to be quiet.”
“I won’t treat younger boys that way when I’m older.”
“Very good, Jonathan. I would not want you to be so mean-spirited.” They had come to a small park, and Neal let them inside. It was private here.He came down on one knee to be on Jonathan’s level. “There is something I want to warn you of. The headmaster might not be kind to you.”
“Why not?”
“He is not pleased with your mother and myself. However, Westminster is a very good school, and I expect him to treat you fairly. If he doesn’t, you need to tell me. Not your mother—me.”
“But if they play pranks and blame others, how shall I know if he is being fair or not?”
“You’ll know,” Neal said. “And I am sorry for the trouble our marriage will cause you. But I’d wager your personality and your willingness to study hard will win the day. They will respect you, Master Jonathan.”
Jonathan digested Neal’s advice for a moment, and then he said, “I’m glad you and my mother married. I won’t let them make me feel sorry for that.”
Neal felt his heart warm and expand at the boy’s words. And then Jonathan placed his hand in Neal’s. So much trust in one small gesture.
The talk he’d given Jonathan had been necessary, considering how petty the Carpsleys were, but it was also a conversation he wished his father had had with him. In fact, there were many things he wanted to do differently than his father had,and he prayed he had the time left to him in life to see these matters through. Together they walked home.
Christopher was not waiting for them. Instead, they found him in the library with Harry. They were playing marbles on the floor, and Christopher was beating Harry. Their shouts and challenges could be heard all the way down the hall to the front door.
Harry looked up as they entered the library. “You shouldn’t have left Christopher behind,” he said. He was truly angry.
Christopher’s response was to pat Harry on the shoulder. “I don’t care. I like playing with you. Your turn. Your marble is on the other side of the room.”
Harry groaned his ill fortune and then showed his hand at marbles by bouncing one of Christopher’s to the other side of the library. Soon they had teams. Jonathan and Christopher against Harry and Neal. The competition was fierce. Neal knew he should have been going over Lord Leeds’s proposal for the building of docks on the North Thames, but playing marbles was far more fun.
Harry lost the challenge for them. Jonathan and Christopher crowed like the victors they were. They even went so far as to do a jig. Harry startedlaughing and couldn’t stop. Neal was stunned by the sound. He couldn’t remember when he’d last heard his brother laugh. He had to laugh as well, just because the sound gave him so much pleasure ... and that was when he noticed Margaret standing by the door. She appeared thunderstruck.
